What Does the Name Josiah Mean?
Josiah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin meaning “Yahweh supports/heals.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Josiah |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | Yahweh supports/heals |
| Variants | Josias, Joziah, Joshua, Yoshiyahu |
| Popularity | A US Top 50 boys' name in recent years, steadily rising in popularity since the 1990s. |
The meaning and origin of Josiah
The name Josiah means “Yahweh supports/heals” and has Hebrew origins. Josiah comes from the Hebrew Yoshiyahu, meaning 'Yahweh supports' or 'Yahweh heals.' It was borne by a righteous king of Judah in the Old Testament known for his religious reforms, and the name was revived by the Puritans.
Variants and related names
Josiah is related to several other names you may recognize: Josias, Joziah, Joshua, Yoshiyahu. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Josiah?
A US Top 50 boys' name in recent years, steadily rising in popularity since the 1990s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Josiah mean?+
The name Josiah means “Yahweh supports/heals” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Josiah?+
Josiah originates from Hebrew.
Is Josiah a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Josiah has trended in the US over time.
Josiah by gender
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Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press